Supply Chain & Merchandising

Watsonville, Calif. -- West Marine has released its BlueFuture(R) 2012 Sustainability Report. The study encompasses the retailer’s company-wide efforts focusing on sustainability, including improving and protecting the marine environments, reducing the company's carbon footprint and encouraging people to enjoy being out on the water.

Included in the report is a reduction in the company’s greenhouse gas of 4.29% year over year, with an over 17.5% reduction since its 2007 baseline.

New York -- Belle Foods plans to close 13 stores by Aug. 3, including six in Alabama, according to a report by the Birmingham Business Journal. The shutters are part of a reorganization following the chain’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Of the 13 store closures, 12 are Food Worlds and one is a Piggly Wiggly.

New York -- Supply Chain Optimization, a special online report by Chain Store Age, looks at how changing demand, multiple channels and increased consumer expectations are redefining the retail landscape and putting increased emphasis on supply chain infrastructures.

Learn how to gain a competitive advantage by having a more efficient, flexible and, responsive supply chain.

Download the report.

David Jimenez was named SVP of visual and store experience at Williams-Sonoma to drive further growth and innovation at the operator of 587 upscale home goods stores.

In addition to the appointment of Jimenez, the company named three other executives to new leadership roles in the supply chain area.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kid Brands' EVP and COO Kerry Carr is about to take on a third title at the company as its new CFO. The news comes amid the company's announcement that it has sold the Russ and Applause brands to Larsen and Bowman Holdings for $1.25 million.

Carr replaces James Christl, whose resignation for personal reasons from his position as SVP and CFO has been accepted by the company.

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Multichannel home furnishings specialty retailer has tapped Kewill, a leading provider of software for supply chain execution, to help it consistently manage domestic and international shipments from multiple shipping locations across North America.

Crate and Barrel will utilize Kewill's Flagship parcel shipping and Netship expense management software to streamline its supply chain and integrate a roster of carriers to ensure it selects the best available rate and service every time.

VeriFone and Lenovo teamed up to develop a mobile point of sale platform that promises to meet retail needs for Windows-based systems compatible with existing retail store systems.

The platform integrates a ThinkPad Tablet 2 based on the Intel Atom Z2760 processor with VeriFone's secure PAYware Mobile technology designed exclusively for the Lenovo tablet.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Real Estate Corp. has brokered the sale of Danada Square East, a 202,036-sq.-ft. grocery anchored shopping center in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Ill. Dominick’s anchors the center.

Newport Capital Fund I purchased the property for $31,625,000 from CBRE Global Investors.